Palace seeks govt security, gets it

The Home Ministry has asked the District Security Committee, Kathmandu, to make necessary security arrangements for King Gyanendra's 61st birthday bash.
Home ministry spokesperson Baman Prasad Neupaney said the ministers had directed the committee to provide security responding to the royal palace's request. "Whenever the palace organises a function, they write to us demanding security and we provide it. It has been happening for years," Neupaney told THT.
According to the ministry, Chief District Officer heads the five-member security committee that includes District Police Chief, a Senior Army Official and a senior Armed Police Force official.

According to a source, security personnel will be deployed from 9 am tomorrow in view of protests announced by the alliance of students' wings affiliated to the eight political parties.

Meanwhile, YCL cadres took out a torch rally from Sundhara and turned the rally into a corner meeting at Ratnapark this evening to protest the dinner party organised to mark the king's birthday. YCL's valley in-charge Sagar said they would block roads leading to Narayanhiti Palace tomorrow.

Meanwhile, former PMs Surya Bahadur Thapa and, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Kirtinidhi Bista, former ministers Badri Prasad Mandal, Durga Pokhrel and Din Bandhu Aryal attended the party hosted by Crown Prince Paras to mark the king's birthday today.

According to Mohan Shrestha, publicity chief of the birthday committee, Dr Tulsi Giri is expected to attend the party on Sunday. Chief of Army Staff Gen Rookmangud Katawal did not attend the party. From thehimalayantimes.com

DDR not applicable for Maoists: says Prachanda

Maoist chairman Prachanda has said that the model of DDR (Disarming, Demobilisation and Reintegration) will not be applicable for restructuring of the Maoist army.

Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai in a meeting in Switzerland. Photo courtesy: Nepalese People's Progressive Forum (File Photo)

Addressing a programme in Geneva, Switzerland, Prachanda said that since Maoists' People's Liberation Army (PLA) had fought for people, the DDR model cannot be applicable for them. "It should rather be applied on the old army," he said.

Prachanda said the PLA should be reintegrated into the Nepali Army and their soldiers be given security duties. Any plan to engage them in other duties would be unfortunate, he said.

Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai are currently in Switzerland.

King requests for security

In the wake of warning by the student and youth activists affiliated with the eight political parties to foil the birthday party of King Gyanendra planned by monarchists, the King has appealed to the government to provide adequate security, reports Nepal FM.

The King has made the request to the Home Ministry asking for security cover during the birthday celebrations, says the report.

It adds that the Home Ministry has replied positively by agreeing to consider the request.

The monarchists are planning to gather in Tundikhel and march to the royal palace to extend greetings to the King on the occasion of his 61st birthday on Saturday. "We are not planning to raise any slogan. We will simply march to the palace silently," said Dr. Durga Pokharel, former minister and co-chair of the committee formed to organise the King's birthday.

Earlier on Thursday, student and youth activists of eight parties had decided to hold demonstration and foil the royal reception. They claimed that the King has no authority to hold receptions since he is no more recognised by the constitution.